Pressed steel truck wheel



Nov. 24, 1953 D. w. SHERMAN PRESSED STEEL TRUCK WHEEL Filed Jan. 23,1950 2 SheegS-Sheet l m. w m m ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 24, 1953 D, w. SHERMAN PREssED STEEL TRUCK WHEEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. 23, 1950 INVENTOR. I l` Donald 'W1 Sherman ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. v24, l19,53

ATENT OFFICE 2,660,477 PREssED STEEL TRCK WHEEL Donald W. Sherman,Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to A. O. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of New York Application January 23, 1950, Serial N0. 140,107

This invention relates to a pressed steel dual wheel for use on trucksand trailers andthe like. An object of the invention is to provide apressed steel truck wheel which is relatively light in weight, yet issufficiently strong to support heavy trucks and withstand hard use inservice. Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel thecomponent parts of which may be pressed from fiat stock and assembledwith a minimum of machining and waste material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pressed steel wheelhaving a semi-'truss type spoke and web construction of light weight,yet capable of withstanding substantial axial forces. Another object ofthe invention is to provide a dual truck wheel wherein the hub membermay be formed of inexpensive flat stock instead of being made of tubing,or of a forging 'or casting. In general, the wheel structure comprises acylindrical hub portion, an outer web member apertured forcircumferential welding to a ring on the hub portion, a relatively smallinner web member axially spaced from the outer web and welded to asecond ring on the hub portion, and

a plurality of circumferentially spaced spokes '-1 welded between theouter and inner webs and shaped at their outer faces to receive a pairof tire rims. Brace portions are provided on the spokes and welded tothe inner web to aid in the transmission of torque from the hub to therim. The projecting portions of the outer web are provided with holes toreceive the bolts for lugs which hold the tire rims in position, whilethe corresponding projecting portions of the inner web are similarlyapertured for insertion of the brake drum bolts.

Other objects and advantages will be set forth more fully in thefollowing description of an embodiment of the invention as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the wheel with portions broken away toshow details of structure;

Fig. 2 is a section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing a portion of the wheel as assembledwith a pair of tires and tire rims;

Fig. 4 is an exploded detail perspective view showing fragments of theouter and inner webs as related to a spoke member; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the Wheel. l

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a 8 Claims. (C1. 30k-H13)wheel comprising in general a hub portion I, an outer web member 2, aninner web member 3, and a plurality of channel-shaped spokes 4interposed between the web members 2 and 3 in a strong semi-trussarrangement. The spokes 4 serve to receive a pair of tire rims 5 andtires I3 as will be described subsequently.

The hub I is formed from flat stock into a generally cylindrical shapeand is .broached to form a tight seam for welding as at 'I. Seats forbearing races are provided in the form of two axially displaced sets ofcircumferentially spaced buttons 8 which extend inwardly from theinterior surface of the hub I.

The buttons 8 are preferably extruded from flat stock before the formingof hub I. After forming, the buttons 8 are cut to semi-circularcross-section when the hub is machined.

In order to provide a relatively heavy member through which torque maybe transmitted to the wheel from a truck driving axle assembly, notshown, a driving ring e is circumferentially welded at its inner edge tothe outer end of the hub I. The driving ring i!l is provided with aplurality of radially spaced axially extending holes I0 which arethreaded to receive the bolts of the truck driving axle assembly. Y

Where the wheel is employed on a trailer axle or other non-driving axle,smaller holes I0 may serve to receive bolts to hold a hub cap inposition.

The driving ring 9 is preferably formed from bar stock, with the endsbroached after forming and welded together as at II. After the drivingring 9 is welded to hub I, the holes I0 may be drilled primarily in thering 9 but partially in hub I, so that a portion of each hole Illcomprises a groove in the hub I as shown in Fig. l.

The outer web member 2 is pierced at its center for girth welding at I2to the exterior surface of the driving ring 9. The web 2 comprises adished center portion I3 which extends inwardly and radially from thering 9, and a plurality of spaced projecting portions I formed *integralwith the center portion I3. The projecting portions HI extend outwardlyand radially from the center portion I3 and give the periphery of theweb 2 a scalloped appearance.

As best shown in Fig. 4, each of the projecting portions I4 ispreferably constructed for maximum strength with an integral outwardlyprotruding portion I5. Each portion I5 is shaped with a verticalrectangular front face I6, an inwardlyvsloping rectangular lower faceIl, and a pair of side faces i8.

The web 2 is formed rst by blanking and piercing a steel plate, then bypressing the same to the desired shape. These operations are performedwith sufcient accuracy to eliminate the necessity of machining the largeexternal circumference of the wheel after the assembly thereof.

Local thickening of the inner end of the hub E is desirable in order toprovide surfaces for welds capable of withstanding substantial shearloads. Accordingly, a ring i 9 having a radially extending flangedportion 26 is secured to the exterior surface of the hub l by means of acircumferential nllet Weld 2|.

The ring I9 may be manufactured, for economy of material, from thedisc-shaped piece of steel plate resuiting from the piercing operationin the manufacture of the outer web 2.

The inner web member 3 is relatively smaller than the outer web 2 andcomprises a cylindrical center portion 22, an integral radiallyextending annular portion 23 which merges with the center portion 22,and a plurality of spaced radially projecting portions 2d formedintegral with the outer circumference of the annular portion 23.

In order to rigidly secure the web 3 to the ring i9. a weld 25 is madein a groove bounded by the exterior surface of the ring i3, the flangedportion 20 of ring i9, and the interior surface of the cylindricalportion 22 of web 3.

The projecting portions 24 of inner web 3 are circumferentiallydisplaced from the projecting portions lli of the outer web 2 so thatthe angles formed between adjacent projecting portions lil of the outerWeb 2 are biseoted by the projecting portions 2t of the inner web 3.

The channel-shaped spokes 4 are pressed from steel plate and are spacedradially of the hub i between the outer web 2 and the inner web 3. Eachspoke It comprises a peripheral face 26 and a pair of generallytriangular integral side faces 21. The face 23 is provided at its outerend with a lip 28 which ts over the corresponding projecting portion idof the outer web 2, and at its inner end with a radially and axiallyextending flared portion 29 which acts as a seat for a tire rim 5. Thedared portion 29 is strengthened by a protrusion 39 formed integraltherewith and with the side faces 21.

The corners of the triangular side faces 21 which are opposite theprotrusions 3B are shaped, respectively, to abut the projecting portionsI4 of the outer web 2, and the cylindrical portion 22 and annularportion 23 of the inner web 3.

The spokes e are rigidly secured to the outer web 2 by welds 3i disposedbetween the side faces 21 of the spokes and the projecting portions ldof the o uter web 2, so that the welds 3l straddle the recesses formedby the angularly protruding portions lof the projections I4. Inaddition, interior welds 32 are made between the periphery of the outerweb 2 and the inner surfaces of the lips 28.

Spokes 4 are secured to inner webs 3 by welds 33 located betweencylindrical portion 22 and annular portion 23 of the inner web 3 and theabutting side faces 21 of the spokes 4. For added rigidity and totransmit torque from hub to rim, a pair of brace flanges 34 is providedon each spoke 4 and welded at 35 to the interior surfaces of theprojections 24 of the inner web 3.

Referring to Fig. 4, flanges 34 are formed integral with the protrusions3B and with the adjacent edges of the spoke sides 21. Correspondinganges 34 of adjoining spokes extend towards each other, as shown inFigs. 1 and 5, so that the ends thereof are contiguous at a projection24.

The projections 24 and the end portions of the related nanges 35i areapertured to receive bolts 35 which secure a brake drum -31 to the innerside of the wheel. To provide bearing area and machining stock for thebrake drum 31, a square washer 38 is welded, for example by projectionwelds 39, to the exterior surface of each projection 24.

To lighten the spokes d, holes i0 may be provided in the center of eachside face 21.

In assembling the tire rims 5 and tires E on the wheel, the inner rim 5is nrst positioned over the flared portions 23 and a spacer ring lil isplaced adjacent thereto. The outer rim is next assembled and held inplace by a plurality of lugs t2 each of which is shaped to engage boththe outer rim and the front face l of the projection l5.

lThe projecting portions ifi of the outer web 2 have apertures 133 toreceive lug bolts lie. The bolts te serve, together with theircorresponding nuts 45, to hold lugs 2, tire rims 5, and spacer ring disecurely in position against the ilared portion 29 of the wheel.

In assembling the basic parts of the dual wheel, the driving ring 9 andthe thickening ring i9 are welded to the hub I, and the outer web 2 iswelded to the driving ring 9. The spokes are then welded to the innerweb 2, and the combined spoke and inner web assembly is positioned onthe thickening ring i9 and welded thereto at 2|. Welds 3l and 32 maythen be made to attach the spokes d to the outer web 2 and complete theassembly.

The design of the parts is such that they can be accurately produced byrapid blanking, pressing, and forming operations. Because of theaccuracy of these operations, no intermediate machining steps arerequired for assembly purposes and no machining of the externalcircumference of the wheel is necessary. The cost of manufacturing thewheel, as compared to ordinary truck wheels, is therefore reduced andthe speed of assembly is increased.

The truss-like spoke portions are such that the wheel is capable ofwithstanding substantial side and radial forces. Consequently, the wheelmay be made of relatively light parts while at the same time maintainingthe strength features of a heavier wheel.

The use of pressed steel parts, instead of forgings or castings, resultsin a strong and lightweight wheel which may be manufactured with aminimum of waste material.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope ofthe accompanying claims.

I claim:

l. In a pressed steel whe-el assembly for use with the tire rims oftrucks and trailers and the like, a cylindrical hub member, a pair ofaxially spaced pressed steel web members disposed on said hub member,and a plurality of radially disposed pressed steel spoke members weldedbetween said web members in truss relation, said spoke niembers havingouter faces shaped to provide support for said tire rims and havinggenerally triangular side faces extending inwardly to the region of saidhub member for increased support of the wheel against collapse underside loadings.

2. In a dual wheel assembly for use with the tire rims of a vehicle, acylindrical hub member formed from dat stock and longitudinally welded,

a pair of rings welded to the outer surface of said hub member tostrengthenthe same, a pair of axially spaced web members welded to thecorresponding rings, and a plurality of channel-shaped spoke memberswelded between said web members and extending radially of said hub forsubstantially the entire distance between said hub and said .tire rims,said spoke members being partially flared at their outer faces toprovide seating surfaces for said tire rims and having relatively largeside faces shaped to support said seating surfaces.

3. A dual truck wheel comprising a cylindri-cal hub member, a drivingring disposed at the outer end of said hub member, a pressed steel outerweb member welded to said driving ring and extending radially therefromfor substantially the entire distance from said driving ring to theouter circumference of said wheel, an axially displaced inner webdisposed on said hub member and formed relatively smaller than saidouter web member, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced pressedsteel spoke members welded between said outer and inner web members intruss relation, said spoke members having flared portions disposedoutwardly of said inner web to seat a tire rim and relatively large sidefaces adapted to reinforce said fiared portions and prevent collapse ofsaid webs under side loadings.

4. A dual truck wheel for use with the tire rims of trucks and trailersand the like, comprising a hub, an outer web welded at the outer end ofsaid hub and having a plurality of spaced outwardly projecting portionsat its outer circumference, an inner web Welded at the inner end of saidhub and formed relatively smaller than said outer web with a like numberof outwardly projecting portions, said inner web being circumferentiallyoffset from said outer web so that the projecting portions of said innerweb bisect the angles formed between adjacent projecting portions ofsaid outer web, and a plurality of channelshaped spokes welded to theprojecting portions of said outer web and extending therefrom forWelding to the inner portions of said inner web, with portions of theouter surfaces of said spokes being flared to provide seating surfacesfor said tire rims.

5. A pressed steel truck wheel comprising a cylindrical hub, a ringwelded at the outer end of said hub, an outer web welded to said ringand having a plurality of circumferentially spaced projecting portionsat its outer circumference, a anged ring welded to the inner end of saidhub, a circumferentially offset inner web welded to said flanged ringand formed relatively smaller than said outer web with a like number ofoutwardly projecting portions, a plurality of spokes welded between saidouter and inner webs and shaped at their outer surfaces to receive thetire rims of a truck or the like, a plurality of brace members extendingfrom said spokes and welded to the projecting por-tions of said innerweb, a plurality of lugs secured to the projecting portions of saidouter web to hold said tire rims on said wheel, and a brake drum securedto the projecting portions of said inner web.

6. A pressed and welded truck wheel comprising a cylindrical hub memberformed from flat stock and longitudinally welded, a plurality ofextruded buttons disposed on the interior surface of said hub to provideseats for the bearing races of a truck axle assembly, a ring welded atthe outer end of said hub and apertured to receive the bolts of saidtruck axle assembly, a pressed steel outer web welded to said ring andhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced projecting portions atits outer circumference, a anged ring welded to the inner end of saidhub, a relatively small fianged inner web welded to said flanged ringand having a like number of outwardly projecting portionscircumferentially offset from the projecting portions of said outer web,a plurality of pressed steel channel-shaped spokes welded between saidouter and inner webs and shaped at their outer surfaces to receive thetire rims of a truck, a plurality of brace portions formed integral withsaid spokes and welded to the projecting portions of said inner web, aplurality of lugs bolted to the projecting portions of said outer weband shaped to hold said tire rims on said wheel, and a brake drum boltedto the projecting portions of said inner web.

7. A dual truck wheel for use with the tire rims of a truck, comprisinga cylindrical hub, axially spaced outer and inner webs welded at theends of said hub, the outer web being relatively larger than said innerweb and extending radially of said hub for substantially the entiredistance to said tire rims, a plurality of channel-shapedcircumferentially spaced spokes welded between said outer and inner websand substantially radially coextensive with said outer web, said spokeshaving flared portions disposed outwardly of said inner web to seat atire rim, and a plurality of brace members formed integral with saidilared portions and welded to said inner web to aid in the transmittalof torque from said hub to said tire rims.

8. A dual truck wheel comprising acylindrical hub member, driving meansfor the wheel provided at the outer end of said hub member, a pressedsteel outer web member welded to said driving means and extendingradially therefrom for a substantial distance, an inner web axiallydisplaced from Athe outer web and welded to said hub member, said innerweb being relatively smaller than said outer web member, and a pluralityof circumferentially spaced pressed steel spoke members welded betweensaid outer and inner web members in truss relation, said spoke memberhaving flared portions disposed outwardly of said inner web to seat atire rim and generally large side faces adapted to reinforce said flaredportions and prevent collapse of the webs under side loadings.

DONALD W. SHERMAN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

